rants for the warrior cats series

Juniperclaw's fate

When my eyes first fell upon the name "Juniperclaw" when I was reading the dark forest portion in the latest broken code book "A Light in the Mist", I became all indignant and whiney/shocked (to learn that Juniperclaw had ended up there). But after hearing the reasons the Starclan cats presented as actual *internal* characters in the book (instead of *external* users with opinions on the internet because I listen to made up characters that shape a book/story more than other weirdos online who I tend to have a reverse reaction to), I conceded that poisoning a fresh-kill pile was actually not the best thing any cat could do (quite the opposite actually). (Yes, other cats have still perpetrated worse; my point there).

However, forgetting Juniperclaw's deeds alone and not finishing an evaluation on how bad the extent of it was, this RANT oR wHaTeVeR will move onto the actual point. The point is that I find it unfair that Juniperclaw ended up in the dark forest WHEN Quick Water didn't. The point of this "cOmPaRiSoN" is that I think Quick Water's case was worse than Juniperclaw's. I always liked Juniperclaw as a cat from the moment he died (because of the death), but that is because I'm prone to ending redemptions (i aCkNoWLeDGe tHaT) when I believe the crime isn't bad enough (with my own twisted standards) and the redemption is the most touching (whether actually ENOUGH or not). He was even banished (PERMANENTLY) by his clan unlike Quick Water (who was temporary) because they didn't find out until the end (Juniperclaw even wanted to apologize to Tigerstar, indicating he wasn't vengeful for the eXcOmMuNiCaTioN lol). I lost my chain of thought here, but I will back up my Juniperclaw > Quick Water ranting through reasoning I hope isn't biased.

I mean many can potentially have made inadvertent mistakes that have harmed other warriors (hence the "everybody makes mistakes" universal dogma), but what sets cats like Juniperclaw and Quick Water apart from other cats is that their actions were intentional (as we all know) and poorly reasoned (to top that off).

Juniperclaw had poisoned Skyclan because he had something against them (I forgot the details, pls remind meh in case it was ACTUALLY BAD but I just remember it being for Shadowclan). I don't think Shadowclan was particularly in danger or anything, maybe just bitter over the loss of territory or a 5th clan. On the other hand, Skyclan might've felt more challenged that early on with the construction (but it really didn't get much worse until the Redstar arc, but then that should've been Cloudstar's fight instead of Quick Water's).

Whether the reason behind it was more excusable for Quick Water than Juniperclaw, I still think Quick Water's offenses were worse. Leading dogs to the Shadowclan leaders, even if death wasn't intended?!?! Trying to assassinate Shadowstar (or just scare her off, I forgot)?!?!?!? Attacking other cats?! Poisoning a freshkill pile was just one action and it might not have been registered as direct murder (although Juniperclaw would never actually admit to wanting to murder and just acting rashly). I mean I guess directly fighting is more obvious and less cowardly than hiding poison, but STILL. BOTH their acts were cowardly alone....

Quick Water's reasons were wanting to save Skyclan (that's ok), but ending Shadowclan CLEARLY was the wrong approach. Juniperclaw's intentions might have been wrong (I don't remember), but so were his actions. Their reasoning was similar but Quick Water's actions were worse. But what sets Juniperclaw apart from Quick Water more was the death.

All of Quick Water's restitution was admitting the truth right before death (and afterward, she was able to do nothing else because there was nothing else to do and her dying form would've been powerless anyway) On the other hand, Juniperclaw saved a kit even though Starclan had told Shadowsight to jump into the river.

Juniperclaw CHOSE to perish to save Shadowsight (unless he decided he no longer wanted to live *aH tHe hOpELeSsNeSs* and then was denied from Starclan because of their lack of hope). Juniperclaw may not have been injured, unlike Quick Water, enabling him to continue his actions. However, if he REALLY was vengeful towards the clans, he could've just ran away and wallowed in his hate (postponing his Dark Forest fate). Instead he chose to return and save Shadowsight instead of attacking Violetshine (who was clearly there and vulnerable) if he really despised Skyclan. (Unless the Erins decide to pull a card of Juniperclaw RETURNING FOR REVENGE)